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Is there absolutely no way of installing Windows XP through Bootcamp on Lion?

MasterHowl

MasterHowl

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Oct 3, 2010
1,067
182
North of England
I installed XP through Bootcamp when I ran Snow Leopard, but deleted it a few months ago because I didn't really need it anymore.

But I need it now, but I've "upgraded" to Lion! Do I need Windows 7, or is there a way to instal XP? Very annoyed...
 
MasterHowl said:
I installed XP through Bootcamp when I ran Snow Leopard, but deleted it a few months ago because I didn't really need it anymore.

But I need it now, but I've "upgraded" to Lion! Do I need Windows 7, or is there a way to instal XP? Very annoyed...
Click to expand...

lion *only* supports windows 7. to use xp or vista, you need snow leopard and a machine released before the 2010 macbook airs :(
 
DerfBWH said:
Simply partition the disk as you'd like with the Boot Camp Utility, and then skip the rest of the boot camp Windows. Put in your Windows XP Install CD. Reboot the computer, holding down option to access the boot menu. Boot into the Windows XP Install CD. Install like normal. When finished, you will have a fully working Windows XP install with no drivers.

Put in your Snow Leopard DVD and use the drivers that came bundled with that. Voila.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

there ya go :)
 
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Reactions: brian222
i have bootcamp running XP on my SL Mac Mini with no problems.

quote from Apple 10.5 and 10.6 Bootcamp Install Instructions located here:


You can install any of the following versions of Windows:
Windows XP Home Edition or Professional
Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate
Important: You must use a single full-install Windows installation disc (Service Pack 2
or later is required for Windows XP installations). Do not install an earlier version of
Windows XP and attempt to update it later to SP2
Click to expand...

more info about 10.6 and XP can be read here if you expand the page.
 
getheo said:
The disks coming with macbook pro 2011 and macbook air 2011 are only for windows 7.
Click to expand...

The discs that come with the 2011 MBPs are model-specific. The 2011 MBAs don't come with a disc, they come with a USB drive which is still model-specific and also is Lion, not SL (so I'm not sure why you brought them up). I'm talking about the retail SL disc.

When you say that the "drivers for SL are for Windows 7 only" that's a very erroneous statement because you're only referring to the drivers that came with a very specific version of SL. All other versions of SL (the vast majority) have drivers for XP.
 
so OP the answer is that if you have a retail copy of 10.6 (SL) then you can install XP on your current Lion machine using the method above.

enjoy your XP bootcamp on your Air :)
 
MasterHowl said:
I installed XP through Bootcamp when I ran Snow Leopard, but deleted it a few months ago because I didn't really need it anymore.

But I need it now, but I've "upgraded" to Lion! Do I need Windows 7, or is there a way to instal XP? Very annoyed...
Click to expand...

Have just installed XP SP3 on my iMac installed with Lion 10.7.1

1. use the Lion Bootcamp to partition the disk then quit
2. insert XP CD and reboot from CD by pressing C and follow the Window installation instructions
3. After XP is installed, do not do any config - leave is as is
4. insert your OS X install disc that came with your Mac - it should prompt you for drivers installation.
5. That is it - mine works great!

Good Luck
 
nosy said:
Have just installed XP SP3 on my iMac installed with Lion 10.7.1

1. use the Lion Bootcamp to partition the disk then quit
2. insert XP CD and reboot from CD by pressing C and follow the Window installation instructions
3. After XP is installed, do not do any config - leave is as is
4. insert your OS X install disc that came with your Mac - it should prompt you for drivers installation.
5. That is it - mine works great!

Good Luck
Click to expand...

Worked like a dream, thanks!
 
Great tip.... I just got my first Mac (mid 2011 fully loaded 11' MBA) ... In other words, no disks were included...What options to I have for loading up Win XP in Lion? Thanks greatly.
 
hi, i bought a new fallout 3 game but didn't realise its a pc game? and i have a macbook pro, like 300gb and everything new and up to date, Operating on os lion or whatever. i downloaded like wine bottler, boot camp and crossover, but still don't know how to dowload the game, it still won't download no matter what i try... any tips or help so i can finally play this magnificent game.
 
Southflkid said:
Great tip.... I just got my first Mac (mid 2011 fully loaded 11' MBA) ... In other words, no disks were included...What options to I have for loading up Win XP in Lion? Thanks greatly.
Click to expand...

Your MBA came with Lion from starting. It can't use "Bootcamp driver 3.1" and lower versions so you can't install Win XP. No matter with your MAC OS version but the problem here is your MBA model is too new and its suitable "Bootcamp driver" no longer support for Win XP. If you want to install Windows, pick up a Windows 7 version and use "Bootcamp 4.0" to install driver for the Windows OS. If you ask for the "Bootcamp 4.0", use Bootcamp.app in MAC OS to download "Windows Support..." which is include Bootcamp 4.0
Hopes it's helpful for you.
Dear
 
Last edited:
I have a problem. I just bought a brand new Macbook Air to replace my old 2008 Macbook which already had Windows 7 installed on it. I was able to put Windows 7 on my old 2008 Macbook by installing Windows XP first since I have an old disc and then bought the student upgrade for Windows 7. Is there anyway I can install XP and then upgrade again to Windows 7 on my new Macbook Air? I refuse to go buy a full version of Windows 7. I might as well buy a cheap desktop. Any work arounds to this problem? May be some can help me find a key for Windows 7.
 
lpsoldier301 said:
I have a problem. I just bought a brand new Macbook Air to replace my old 2008 Macbook which already had Windows 7 installed on it. I was able to put Windows 7 on my old 2008 Macbook by installing Windows XP first since I have an old disc and then bought the student upgrade for Windows 7. Is there anyway I can install XP and then upgrade again to Windows 7 on my new Macbook Air? I refuse to go buy a full version of Windows 7. I might as well buy a cheap desktop. Any work arounds to this problem? May be some can help me find a key for Windows 7.
Click to expand...

I've an idea for your situation. Hopes you can read this:
Bootcamp.app in Lion will not allow you to install WinXP but actually you don't need the Bootcamp.app to install Windows OS. At first, use the Bootcamp.app to download "Windows Support..." which is include "Bootcamp Drivers" for Windows OS (I think it would be Bootcamp Drivers 4.0). After that, use DiskUtility to create a partition for Windows OS formatted MS-DOS(FAT). Insert your Windows XP CD then restart and hold down "C" key to boot from the CD. Install Windows XP on the created partition which is formatted MS-DOS(FAT). After finishing the Windows installation, don't try to install drivers with Bootcamp 4.0 becuz it can't be run on Windows XP lol.. Just go forward to upgrade your Windows XP to Windows 7. At last, the upgrading is done then you can use the Bootcamp 4.0 to install drivers..

Sorry becuz of my bad English.

Still hopes this can be helpful for you.

Dear
 
lpsoldier301 said:
I have a problem. I just bought a brand new Macbook Air to replace my old 2008 Macbook which already had Windows 7 installed on it. I was able to put Windows 7 on my old 2008 Macbook by installing Windows XP first since I have an old disc and then bought the student upgrade for Windows 7. Is there anyway I can install XP and then upgrade again to Windows 7 on my new Macbook Air? I refuse to go buy a full version of Windows 7. I might as well buy a cheap desktop. Any work arounds to this problem?
Click to expand...

Do you have a Windows 7 disc? If so, install from that and don't enter a serial number (then it won't know that you are upgrading and will let you install without bothering to install Windows XP first). Then, when it is installed, enter your upgrade serial number and it should accept it.

If you have an electronic distribution there are instructions somewhere on the web (I think on an MS blog, even) of how to make a similar USB stick to install 7. Then you can insert your key once it has installed.

HTH
 
bobnugget said:
Do you have a Windows 7 disc? If so, install from that and don't enter a serial number (then it won't know that you are upgrading and will let you install without bothering to install Windows XP first). Then, when it is installed, enter your upgrade serial number and it should accept it.

If you have an electronic distribution there are instructions somewhere on the web (I think on an MS blog, even) of how to make a similar USB stick to install 7. Then you can insert your key once it has installed.

HTH
Click to expand...

Thanks would I have to purchase another upgrade serial? I already bought one and used it on my older 2008 Macbook.
 
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